[fooqux]

As you said, that's not a privacy issue but a security one. Also, in your example I'd argue it would just be easier to attack every single IP address and/or WAP rather than attempt to figure out which ones are Linksys and running a vulnerable firmware. It would take less time and also solves the case of non-default SSID names.

I'm still interested in seeing an example of how linking SSIDs to physical locations is a violation of privacy. Especially compared to, say, linking my full legal name to my house address which is already treated as public knowledge.

[justcommenting]

I don't think you'll like my answer, but I think it was Schneier who said that it's not necessarily any one thing: it's having easy access to a bunch of different things, together.

[Ygg2]

I believe that according to law, the onus is on the owner in question to make sure their WiFi Router is secure. If a hacker takes control of your router, and downloads pirated material, you are considered responsible if you didn't take even necessary steps to protect yourself. Then you sue manufacturer, and all routers come with a set of different passwords and _no_map by default. That is the most likely logical course of action.

Everything else is idealizing. Same as with video and with DRM. Mozilla could take a principled stance and say no to patented codes and no to DRM, and then Google says yes to both of those things, reap the benefits, while the end consumer abandon Mozilla because it doesn't play YouTube or Netflix, and then Mozilla is no more.

If you don't like it, you can fork Firefox and/or choose not to trust Mozilla. The situation is super sad, but what else can you do? Be principled and disappear? Or compromise and survive?